Ukraine's National Bank Governor charged with embezzlement
This was reported by the Specialized Anti-corruption Prosecutor's Office, according to Ukrinform
As noted, the detectives of the National Anti-corruption Bureau of Ukraine exposed the illegal operations of the state-owned JSC Ukrgasbank officials, which led to losses in the amount of more than UAH 206 million.
"To date, in the said criminal proceedings, five main culprits have been notified of suspicion, including the incumbent governor of the National Bank of Ukraine, as well as former and current high-ranking officials of banking institutions," the report says.
It was established that the bank management, having at their disposal information about banking service contracts concluded with large clients, used it to embezzle funds.
To this end, the bank's officials ensured the conclusion of fictitious contracts with individuals and legal entities who, allegedly being "agents" of the bank, attracted large clients to it. The bank illegally paid monthly "remuneration" to these persons for "agency services."
The inquiry established that 2014 through 2020, under the said scheme, funds of the state-owned bank in the amount of more than UAH 206 million were unjustifiably transferred to 52 fictitious agents.
The actions of members of an organized group have been qualified under Part 3 of Art. 27 part 5 of Art. 191; Part 3 of Art. 27 part 3 of Art. 28 part 1 of Art. 366 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine.
The SAPO emphasized that the facts stated in the charge papers do not relate to the period when the NBU governor held his current post.
Further pre-trial investigation is ongoing.
The National Bank is currently headed by Kyrylo Shevchenko, who on October 4 filed a resignation letter citing “health-related issues.”
The Verkhovna Rada Committee on Finance, Tax and Customs Policy recommends that the Parliament support the draft resolution on Kyrylo Shevchenko’s dismissal from the top NBU position.
On October 5, President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky registered in the Verkhovna Rada a draft resolution on Kyrylo Shevchenko’s resignation from the position of the head of the National Bank of Ukraine (No. 8104).
The Verkhovna Rada appointed him to the post on July 16, 2020.
